Serving Stanton, Clay City & Powell County, Kentucky for More Than 100 Years

Clay City resident Amanda Madden is shown modeling a hat worn at the 1973 running of the Kentucky Derby, which was won by Secretariat. The hat was given to Amanda by her aunt Evelyn Neely. Amanda has been given a small speaking part in the upcoming movie Secretariat staring Diane Lane.

By David J. Griffin, Times Reporter

A Walt Disney film titled Secretariat is currently in production and is scheduled to be released in 2010. Diane Lane will star as Secretariat’s owner, Penny Chenery. The movie reportedly will focus on her humble beginnings in Virginia to her rise as the “first lady” of horseracing.

Twenty-six year old Amanda Madden of Clay City will have a small speaking part in the up-coming movie. “I will be filmed at Churchill Downs on Oct. 7, and will have a speaking role in the movie,” she explained.

Amanda spent most of her time in Powell County with her grandmother, Virginia Madden of Clay City. She is the daughter of Robert and Lawanna Daugherty, who reside in Bath County. She graduated from Bath County High School in 2002.

When asked how she was able to land the movie role, she said, “I have been modeling for 26 years and have been in pageants all of my life.” She has turned down offers to be in a couple of movies before. “This one I just had to accept,” she said.

The period film will concentrate on the life of Secretariat and his unusual racing ability. In 1973, he became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in twenty-five years, setting new race records in two of the three events. Those were set at the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes and the records still stand today.

Amanda will be filmed wearing a hat from that time. “My aunt Evelyn Neely found a hat for me that was actually worn at Churchill Downs when Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby,” she said.

The Powell County High School Marching Pirates have soared to new heights in recent weeks. The young band made up of several underclassmen and middle school students have been to two competitions this year and made the finals in both meets.

Last Saturday, in the rain-drenched field and mud, the band returned home with several honors from the Rowan County Classic. Powell won for Best Percussion in Class 3A-1, Best Color Guard in Class 3A-1 and won first place for their class. That qualified them for the finals, where they placed sixth overall.

“We have made the finals the last two competitions and we have never done that before, two competitions and two finals in a row,” PCHS Band Director Mike Estep said. “They have really progressed, really done a good job and we are really proud of them.”

The band had to rebuild following a huge graduating class last year and some departures from the group earlier this year. The rebuilding has been quite successful. “They have worked hard, but I have to give thanks to our staff and our parents for all their hard work too,” Estep said.

The Marching Pirates will be competing again on Saturday in Harrison County, and then will return home to host the Pirate Classic on Oct. 24.

The Cow Creek Water Project has hit a small snag, but the Stanton City Council hopes to clear that up quickly. The council heard about the delay at their regular monthly meeting last Thursday. The water project, along with the new city sidewalks and requests for street lights dominated the meeting as the city’s face is beginning to take on a whole new look.

“There is a pressure reducing valve we need. People have already got their lines and meters ready to be hooked up,” Mayor Dale Allen told the council. “But it’s on back order. We got to have it before we can do that.” Allen also told the council that once the residents on Cow Creek were hooked into the Stanton Water System, that providing water to the homes in their service area would be “99.5 percent complete.”

The council also discussed a request for a street light to be placed near 869 East College Avenue. “I was approached by a person in that area and they said it is awful dark in that area,” Allen said. “We may need to look into getting a light set up there.”

Council members Linville Bellamy, Tommy Mays and Dustin Meadows also brought up areas where street lighting may be needed. Some streets like West Railroad, Westview Drive and Oak Hill Drive were mentioned as being areas where the lighting may not be adequate. “On Westview I don’t even think they have a light there,” Bellamy reported.

Meadows mentioned that once the new lights located at the Mountain Parkway exit are activated, there may not be a need for street lights on Vine Street. That street runs parallel to the parkway and the new lights should provide enough illumination for the area that some street lights could possibly be moved.

“We really need to go around and see where it is too dark or where a light may not be needed,” Allen told the council. Stanton Police Chief Kevin Neal advised the council that his officers used to do that at least once a year and report it to the council. “Do you mind doing that again,” Allen asked. Chief Neal agreed and will have his second and third shift officers make a list.

The council also discussed the new sidewalks that are being poured around the Main Street area during the road construction project. “They (the construction company) have told me that if we don’t seal the sidewalks then that cobblestone look will end up cracking. They sealed one section down by John Brewer’s and you can tell a difference,” Allen advised the members.

“Doesn’t the state have to pay for that? It’s their road project,” Meadows asked. “No, it wasn’t in the contract. So it would fall to us,” Allen answered. After some discussion about the possible cost, the council agreed to look into possibly sealing them.

The sidewalk along the Stanton Cemetery and up to the Powell County Health Department was also discussed. “We are going to have to put in a new sidewalk there and it has an estimated cost of $40,000,” Allen told the council. There was some discussion about lowering it when it is redone. “We have to be careful there, there are two major waterlines that run underneath that sidewalk,” Allen added. The only other noteworthy activity by the council was over the dust problem that Janice Trent has addressed the council about several times in the past. At issue is the road that leads to the fitness center and the cable television building just off East College Avenue past the drive-in.

“We have had the property owner served, I believe it was on Sept. 15 or 16, so they have 30 days to correct the problem,” City Attorney Scott Graham advised Trent and the council. When asked if the owner did not respond what the next step would be, Graham said, “Then we issue a criminal complaint for violating an ordinance and from there we would go to district court.”

The council did go into closed session to discuss possible litigation, but no action can be taken in a closed session and none was according to Graham.

Local and state police have been quite busy in the past week with alcohol or drug related arrests. Ranging from driving the wrong way on the Mountain Parkway to arguing with bank tellers, at least three such arrests were made.

State police arrested Alma Johnson, 60 of Bonnyman, last Tuesday after she crossed over the median and drove east bound on the Mountain Parkway in the west bound lane. Stanton Police Sgt. Charlie Crabtree and Ofc. Donovan Crabtree was able to get Johnson stopped after she apparently had an accident of some sort. “There was some damage to the front of her vehicle, but we’re not sure what she hit,” Sgt. Crabtree said. She was stopped in the emergency lane near exit 22.

According to Trooper Nathan Shortridge’s report, Johnson thought she was in Campton and was driving back to Hazard. The report indicated she was “very unsteady on her feet.” And while performing field sobriety tests she had to be caught by the officer before she fell. In the report, Johnson admitted to taking two Alprazolam, which is a generic form of Xanax.

Johnson was charged with reckless driving and DUI. She was released on bond last Wednesday. Johnson will be in Powell District Court on Oct. 27.

Just two days earlier Trooper Shortridge placed Gerald W. Chism, 48 of Clay City, under arrest after an accident on Highway 82 two miles south of Clay City. Chism had apparently lost control of his vehicle in a curve just past Happy Top Road. As members of the Clay City Fire Department and Powell EMS assisted, Chism refused medical attention. The arrest report indicates that Chism had an “odor of alcohol” on him, he had “bloodshot eyes” and he failed the field sobriety tests. Trooper Shortridge also found two cans of beer in the vehicle, “cold to the touch, one was open” according to the report.

Chism, who refused a breathalyzer test, was charged with possession of an open alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with DUI and failure to maintain insurance. He was released on a $500 surety bond the same day. Chism is due in district court on Oct. 20.

The day before Clay City Police Chief Shannon Taylor was dispatched to the Clay City Shell Mart because a male subject was allegedly cursing and threatening tellers. Peoples Exchange Bank has a branch located in the store. Upon arriving Chief Taylor found Kenneth E. Brock, 47 of Winchester, fitting the subject’s description.

Taylor’s arrest report states that Brock’s “speech was slurred” and that he was “unsteady on his feet.”

A search of Brock found that he had a bottle of methadone that had been filled just five days before this incident on him. The report stated that the prescription was for 250 pills, but only five were left in the bottle. Brock was arrested and charged with public intoxication, believed to be a controlled substance excluding alcohol. Brock was released on a $1,000 cash bond last Tuesday.

Local and state police have been quite busy in the past week with alcohol or drug related arrests. Ranging from driving the wrong way on the Mountain Parkway to arguing with bank tellers, at least three such arrests were made.

State police arrested Alma Johnson, 60 of Bonnyman, last Tuesday after she crossed over the median and drove east bound on the Mountain Parkway in the west bound lane. Stanton Police Sgt. Charlie Crabtree and Ofc. Donovan Crabtree was able to get Johnson stopped after she apparently had an accident of some sort. “There was some damage to the front of her vehicle, but we’re not sure what she hit,” Sgt. Crabtree said. She was stopped in the emergency lane near exit 22.

According to Trooper Nathan Shortridge’s report, Johnson thought she was in Campton and was driving back to Hazard. The report indicated she was “very unsteady on her feet.” And while performing field sobriety tests she had to be caught by the officer before she fell. In the report, Johnson admitted to taking two Alprazolam, which is a generic form of Xanax.

Johnson was charged with reckless driving and DUI. She was released on bond last Wednesday. Johnson will be in Powell District Court on Oct. 27.

Just two days earlier Trooper Shortridge placed Gerald W. Chism, 48 of Clay City, under arrest after an accident on Highway 82 two miles south of Clay City. Chism had apparently lost control of his vehicle in a curve just past Happy Top Road. As members of the Clay City Fire Department and Powell EMS assisted, Chism refused medical attention. The arrest report indicates that Chism had an “odor of alcohol” on him, he had “bloodshot eyes” and he failed the field sobriety tests. Trooper Shortridge also found two cans of beer in the vehicle, “cold to the touch, one was open” according to the report.

Chism, who refused a breathalyzer test, was charged with possession of an open alcohol beverage container in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with DUI and failure to maintain insurance. He was released on a $500 surety bond the same day. Chism is due in district court on Oct. 20.

The day before Clay City Police Chief Shannon Taylor was dispatched to the Clay City Shell Mart because a male subject was allegedly cursing and threatening tellers. Peoples Exchange Bank has a branch located in the store. Upon arriving Chief Taylor found Kenneth E. Brock, 47 of Winchester, fitting the subject’s description.

Taylor’s arrest report states that Brock’s “speech was slurred” and that he was “unsteady on his feet.”

A search of Brock found that he had a bottle of methadone that had been filled just five days before this incident on him. The report stated that the prescription was for 250 pills, but only five were left in the bottle. Brock was arrested and charged with public intoxication, believed to be a controlled substance excluding alcohol. Brock was released on a $1,000 cash bond last Tuesday.

Rebecca Brewer, 7 , tried her best to beat her opponent but that harness was just a little too much. But she never gave up and seemed to be having fun at the 4-H Family Fun Day at the Stanton City Park last Saturday. Rebecca is the daughter of Andrea Brewer of Clay City.

Times Staff Writer

David J. Griffin

Last week I stumbled across a poem that describes the world we lived in during the 1950’s. I still find it amazing that so many things have changed since that era. The poem is by Bucky Covington, and it is titled A Different World:

We were born to mothers who smoked and drankOur cribs were covered in lead-based paintNo child proof lids no seat belts in carsRode bikes with no helmets and still here we areWe got Daddy’s belt when we misbehavedHad three TV channels you got up to changeNo video games and no satelliteAll we had were friends and they were outside, playin’ outsideSchool always started the same every dayThe pledge of allegiance then someone would prayNot every kid made the team when they triedWe got disappointed and that was alright, we turned out alrightNo bottled water, we drank from the garden hoseAnd every Sunday, all the stores were closedIt was a different lifeWhen we were boys and girlsNot just a different timeIt was a different world

Yes, we were born to mothers who smoked and even some of them drank. As best as I can remember, most of the people I knew in the ‘50’s smoked, and no one ever thought of saying anything about it. Why, tobacco was the most valuable crop in the state of Kentucky. Even most of the actors and actresses smoked on the big screen. Certainly most of my friends smoked in high school. We even had a mid-morning break for young people to take a smoke. The school provided a place for smoking, and many of the adult teachers joined us.

I remember when seat belts were first installed in new cars. Ford offered lap belts for the first time as an option in 1955. By 1964, most US automobiles were sold with standard front seat belts. The emphasis on safety in our cars and trucks was not as vigorous as it is today.

As a matter of fact, riding in the back of a pick-up truck was considered a special treat. I distinctly recall my Dad allowing me to ride in the back of his 1950 Chevrolet pick-up while he ran errands in Mt. Vernon. It was a real joy — much like being in a convertible. Some of my friends usually joined me, and their parents did not object.

Drinking after someone else was not even considered threatening. (Horrors!) My grandfather (Pop) left the garden hose in the back yard so that we could drink out of it – no one considered it necessary to enter the house to get individual glasses for all of my friends playing in our yard. When we walked up to Winstead’s store, we did not think anything about sharing a soft drink by drinking from the same bottle.

In those wonderful times, many illnesses were treated with aspirin tablets. The cure for a headache was to take two standard Bayer tablets with a glass of water (usually from the bucket in the kitchen, dipped with a galvanized dipper). We often used that same dipper just to get a quick drink. Of course, no childproof lids appeared on medicine bottles either.

We ate white bread, real butter, drank Kool Aid made with real, white sugar. And we were not overweight because we PLAYED OUTSIDE and got an abundance of exercise. Our mothers even used lard to enhance the taste of vegetables. We ate real homemade bacon and country ham for breakfast and, of course, it was covered with white cream gravy that was prepared in the same skillet as the ham or bacon.

Another thing about what we ate. Pop carried a pocket knife, and he used it to peel apples, tomatoes, radishes, peaches, and most other garden treats or fruits. I remember Mommie Katie once asking him if he washed his knife, and he laughingly replied, “I have no reason to clean it because it is only used to clean my toe nails.” We all got a good laugh about his humor. He did use his handkerchief to wipe off the blade of his knife after using it to peel fruit or vegetables. To him that was clean enough. That same handkerchief was used to wipe his brow after some hard chore in the yard or garden.

Just one other thing I must mention. From the time we were 10 years old, every boy I knew carried a pocket knife. It was a necessary tool for young men of that time. How else would a person get a splinter out of his finger? or how would you make a “sling shot” or a walking stick? I never heard of anyone pulling a knife on someone in school or using it to threaten a person. Today if a young man carried a knife to school he would be arrested.

Like many, I look back at the simple days of my boyhood with longing. Seems like most everything that I loved the best about those days has since disappeared. In today’s society, would you go to bed with only the screen door to protect your family while you were sleeping?

It would have been impossible back then to imagine the ways in which things would change. I suppose that is what some call “progress” – but I am not one of them.

(You can reach me at mtnman@mis.net or you can drop me a line at P.O. Box 927 – Stanton, KY 40380. I appreciate your suggestions and comments.)

Easy come, easy go. That may be the case for a Powell County man who had made a deal in another case, was given probation and then was arrested on a different charge. Meanwhile, his wife was arrested following a visit with him at the jail.

Gary Sell, 42 of Stanton, was in Powell District Court on Sept. 29 accepting a deal he made in an alleged home invasion type case. Sell had been charged with wanton endangerment and terroristic threatening. The original charges included conspiracy to commit murder, but were changed. In that case Sell and a friend, Houston Paul Johnson, allegedly broke into a house, pulled a woman outside and threatened to kill her as her children were only a few feet away.

The two men entered the home of Vickie Dunaway in Clay City on July 30. Johnson was armed with a handgun. The police report states that Johnson pointed his gun at Dunaway while her two children were nearby, at the direction of Sell.

While Sell was pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and making a deal to testify truthfully against Johnson, while accepting a sentence of 365 days conditionally discharged for two years, police were executing a search warrant on his home. Stanton Police and Kentucky State Police joined Probation and Parole Officer Jason Olney in conducting the search.

The search found that Sell, who was already on parole for another case, had allegedly violated his conditions. Evidence at the home found that Sell had been going Florida “to obtain prescription medication oxycodone” according to the arrest report.

The evidence found allegedly was comprised of hotel receipts from Florida and the prescriptions obtained and filled in Florida. According to Olney’s report, Sell had violated his parole by “traveling to Florida”, having an “association with a convicted felon and pleading guilty to a misdemeanor.”

Sell was arrested and lodged back in the Powell County Detention Center. Because it is a parole violation charge, no bond has been set.

But the saga for the Sell family was not over.

Robin Sell, 51, was arrested last Tuesday after visiting with her husband at the jail. According to the arrest report, Sell had left contraband in the jail restroom during visitation. Detention center employees report the visit and again following the visit. Before Sell could exit the jail’s exit gate, she was stopped and placed under arrest.

The report says that Sell tried to hide loose tobacco, rolling papers and two cans of smokeless tobacco, also known as dip. The items were wrapped up in toilet paper and made to look like a feminine product. The report also stated that Sell was the “only one to use the restroom.”

She has been charged with promoting contraband second degree. She was released last Wednesday on a $500 cash bond.

The Powell County Sheriff’s Department, along with officers from the Clay City, Stanton Kentucky Vehicle Enforcement and Kentucky State Police departments have been quite busy in recent days. A possible intoxicated individual help to reveal alleged illegal poker machines at a local business. But a more disturbing case has Sheriff Danny Rogers concerned.

Last Sunday night Powell County Dispatch received a call just after 11:30 p.m. from a residence on Cow Creek. The caller claimed that a male subject has entered his family’s home and tried to abduct his two-year old daughter.

Rogers responded to the call where he was advised that the father of the child was in the bathroom, while the mother was in bed. The child was sitting in the living room apparently alone. The father, who is not being named so that the child and family will not be identified, told Rogers that he thought he heard a loud noise at the door. He then heard his daughter screaming and crying. When he reached the living room the child was hysterically crying and telling her father the story.

“She said that a boy wearing shorts and a hooded sweatshirt, the best we could tell by what she told us, knocked open the door and grabbed her by the front of her shirt,” Rogers said. “She said she pulled away and the boy ran off. The father said he thought he saw someone outside, called us and looked around.”

Rogers and the father searched he area, but did not find anyone matching the description. “It is scary to think someone may be out there brazen enough to try something like this,” Rogers said. “If any one has any information I ask that they call my office.” The telephone number to the sheriff’s office is 663-2226.

In the other case, police were called by employees of the M&S Pawn Shop in Clay City last Wednesday to check on a possible intoxicated person. The caller said that a male subject could allegedly barely sit on his motorcycle without falling off.

Rogers, as well as officer from the KVE and KSP arrived at the store. They found Charles Smith who, according to an arrest report, was unable to pass a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. While checking him police found a lot of cash and a cash ticket from a poker machine game. He stated he played the game in the pawn shop.

“We went inside and asked Sereda (Norris, owner of the pawn shop) if she had paid him his winnings and she admitted she did,” Rogers said. “We had to inform her that she was not allowed to pay out the winnings, that was illegal. She said she didn’t know it was wrong.”

Officers confiscated the machines and the money in the machines. “There will probably be some charges pending in this case,” Rogers said.

Congratulations are in order to a few 4-H members this week . The Powell County 4-H Council hosted their 4-H Livestock Sale last week with 4-H members selling their project animals for great prices to local businesses.

We would also like to congratulate the youth who won our 2008-2009 4-Her of the Year Awards. Leslie Stewart was the Pledge Leader & Photographer of the 4-H Cooking Club, Co-Secretary of the 4-H Shooting Sports Club, Pledge Leader of the 4-H Cloverbud Club and Vice President of Mrs. Johnson’s fourth grade 4-H Club.

She participated in the 4-H Sewing Workshop, 4-H Photography Workshop and entered exhibits into the Powell County Fair.

She says that the benefits of the 4-H Program are that youth experience how to make the best better.

Morgan Anderson is the President of the Powell County Livestock Club and he participated in various county, district and state livestock shows throughout the summer including the Kentucky State Fair. He feels that the benefits of participation in 4-H programs help youth to meet new friends and learn new things involving dedication.

Taylor Chapman is the Treasurer of the Powell County 4-H Livestock Club. She participated in various county, district and area livestock shows as well as entering exhibits in the Powell County and Kentucky State Fair. She cites the benefits of involvement in the 4-H Program is meeting new people from different places and making new friends.

These exemplary youth are why we do what we do in programs such as 4-H. They are why volunteers give their time and knowledge to helping youth grow and develop into responsible, contributing young adults in our community.

The Powell County Beekeepers Association met last Tuesday and have a few funds left in this year to assist beekeepers or beginning beekeepers this fall. Applications for up to $150 per producer cost share will be available on Monday, Oct. 19 at the Powell County Extension Office.

Funds for this program will be for the purchase of beekeeping supplies, and or medicines to treat bees with this fall. The cost share will be for $150 (you spend $300/ get half back).

Again applications will be available on Oct. 19 and applications must be post marked and mailed by Oct. 26. For more details contact me at 663-6405.

Out in the Yard and Garden

This upcoming weekend, Old Jack Frost may take any or all of our flowers and vegetables, but there is still yard work that can be done here in the middle of October. When the frost has burnt down the tops of your cannas, dahlias and elephant ears, go ahead and dig up these bulbs, store in dry peat moss, straw or sand and put them to bed for the winter in a dry cool area where the bulbs won’t freeze during the winter such as a basement or under the house.

If you want to divide and share some of your spring flowering perennial plants such as irises, peonies and daylilies, now is the time to dig, divide and re-plant. If you don’t need all the plants you dig up, share them with your family, friends or friendly County Agent.

If tulips are what you want around the house and garden next spring, now is the time to purchase these bulbs at local nurseries and garden centers, while supplies last. Try to get them planted 6-8” in the ground sometime between now and Thanksgiving. Spring bulbs planted now should bloom next March and April. If you want spring flowers blooming around Christmas, bulbs such as tulips and paper-white narcissus can be forced inside next month to be enjoyed during the holidays.

The last tomatoes and peppers of the season may still be on the vine out in the garden. Bring all the last green tomatoes in and either store them in the crisper of your refrigerator, or wrap them in newspaper and store them in the basement, cellar or under the house. Doing this now should guarantee a few fresh tomatoes up until the holidays.

Don’t forget about the plants out on the front porch. Whenever the weather man predicts forty degree weather or less, it’s time to bring those plants in. Hopefully you have already done this last weekend, if temperatures dropped to 38 or below. Check plants individually-are they really worth saving first of all? Ferns, for example, are beautiful now, but once brought indoors will start to shed leaves everywhere and eventually be thrown out along with the poinsettias in January, if you keep them that long!

Bring in the Christmas Cactus and get them prepared for the holidays .These plants can actually be focal points for your holiday decorating . If plants are worth saving, are they filled with creepy crawlers such as spiders, aphids and scale? You certainly don’t want these bugs inside so spraying them with a light application of an insecticide such as malathion will take away any unwanted pests. Always read and follow the label directions. Spray these lightly outdoors and let dry before bringing indoors. Now may also be a good time to re-pot any plants that have grown all summer and are root bound. Once inside, hold off the fertilizer and water only when plants become dry-probably no more than every 10 days or so. These plants will need as much sunshine as you have inside your home to maintain their color, but are basically being placed in dormancy for four months.

October is the best month of the year to plant trees and shrubs around your home or in the landscape. Trees and shrubs planted now are beginning to go dormant and will have plenty of soil moisture to enjoy during the winter months. By the time spring is here, the plants will be over transplant shock and will be ready to send out new leaves in your yard. On top of that, these plants are usually on sale now at your favorite nursery or department store because storing these plants over the winter is not usually cost effective. Not only is October the best time of the year for planting from the tree’s standpoint, it also is easier on the home owners pocket-book as well.

While yard work, or at least the mowing of the yard, may be over for this year, we still need to prepare for next year’s yard. Apply split applications of ammonium nitrate in October, November and again in late December for a greener, lush lawn next spring. Approximately 3 pounds of ammonium nitrate per 1,000 square feet each time you fertilize is an ample amount of nitrogen to get grass growing next spring. While complete fertilizers such as 10-10-10 can be used, older, more established lawns only the added benefit from Ammonium Nitrate. Now is also the time to go out in the garden or yard and bring in a soil sample for the crop of 2009. Free soil sample bags are available at the Extension Office. We’ll even let you borrow a soil probe to get the job done. Contact the Powell County Extension Office at 663-6405 for more details concerning your fall farm & garden needs.